Parrotheads and Trop Rock on the Gulf Coast

I told someone today that I was lucky enough to write an article about Parrotheads and Trop Rock music. She let it go the first time, but on the second pass of the word “Parrothead,” she cocked her head to one side and asked the famous question: “Just what is a Parrothead?”

And that will be the first topic of this column I’m privileged to share with you. Just what is a Parrothead and what about that Trop Rock business? As a dedicated follower of Jimmy Buffett and all things coastal, it’s a pleasure to inform you about these things, if you aren’t already aware.

First of all, I wan to reference some quotes from Doug Hall of the Central Texas Parrothead Club. He states that Parrotheads love the water, skies and palm trees, and while not many of us get to live in such an environment, it’s still a part of their souls. They are also very giving individuals, whether it is their time, money and supplies to various charities, or just to lend a helping hand to a friend in need.

I love that he also maintains that a Parrothead never really grows up. I can attest that if you ask a true Parrothead how they are, the answer will almost always be positive. They look to the sunny side of life and tend to experience all the zest life has to offer.

Gulfscapes Magazine recently had a contest for favorite gulf coastal towns. Pensacola, Florida came in with the top number of votes and I contacted the Parrotheads of Pensacola to discover a few of their favorite things. They thrive at their monthly meetings at The Oar House. Many enjoy “phlocking” to Landshark Landing, also. Owned by Jimmy Buffett, this open air beach bar would naturally attract Parrotheads.

And what it this thing with Parrotheads creating new words with “ph” instead of good old “f?” This is something to which I still need to get to the bottom, but my first guess would be that “PH” (ParrotHead) invites natural creativity with words. Hence, “phlock,”
“phins,” “phabulous”…. You get the picture!

Another gulf coastal town voted in the top ten is Orange Beach/ Gulf Shores, Alabama. Actually, these are two separate towns, but when I visited there last summer, I couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began. The Lower Alabama Parrothead Club relayed to me that Lulu’s and the Flora-Bama are two favorite Parrothead haunts in the area. But, of course! Lulu’s is owned my Jimmy Buffett’s baby sister, Lucy, and is also a wonderful Trop Rock venue. The Flora-Bama has existed on the state line between Alabama and Florida for decades. This place is always busy, having survived hurricanes and been touted in Buffett songs.

Moving to my home state of Texas, Galveston and Port Aransas also made the top ten towns. The Galveston Bay Parrothead Club is no stranger to hurricanes, either. Their resilient area Parrotheads enjoy monthly meetings at Noah’s Ark in Bacliff and also T-Bone Tom’s in nearby Kemah. After Hurricane Ike struck a few years ago, the “coconut telegraph” was buzzing with updates on local Parrotheads and their well-being after the storm. Again, we are a very caring group!

My second home is Port Aransas, Texas, part of the Texas Redneck Riviera. The Parrotheads of Port Aransas are an equal opportunity bunch and enjoy a variety of libation venues in the area. As a charter member of this group, one of my favorite locales is The Back Porch. Open March through October, they showcase a variety of musical acts, many with a Trop Rock feel. Built on the edge of the Port A marina, who couldn’t feel totally coastal with a salt-tinged breeze blowing, seagulls screeching nearby and a cold one in front of you?

Parrothead clubs work tirelessly for philanthropic purposes. Scott Bates likes to call it “philantropic,” and I agree. They dedicate thousands of volunteer hours and raise mega-bucks for such groups as food pantries, animal shelters, wildlife rescues and sanctuaries, zoos, volunteer fire departments, highway cleanups, and battered women’s shelters. Communities have recognized what a vast contribution their local Parrothead club can be to their charitable endeavors. “Party With A Purpose” is the national mantra for Parrotheads!

Now that you know much more about Parrotheads, I’ll tackle Trop Rock briefly. Jimmy Buffett is the father of the trend, of course, but basically, it’s a mixture of rock-n-roll and country music, blended with an island style theme and lyrics. Thanks to DJ DK, from Island Time Radio, for that definition.

Jerry Diaz, Trop Rock musician from Beaumont, Texas, feels the lyrics are key: tropical, nautical and escapism themes. Who isn’t ready for a virtual island escape through music? Jerry is a standard performer at many Trop Rock weekends and festivals and was featured in the Winter 2010 issue of Gulfscapes.

Brent Burns hold the recent title of “Trop Rock Entertainer of the Year.” Brent, who hails from “LA,” (that’s lower Alabama!) feels that Trop Rock is original music about the beach and beach life. He was writing and performing this music genre before it was named. He states “as long as you have the beach attitude, that’s all it takes.”

So have we learned something, boys and girls? Time for me to smooth on a little sunscreen, sip on something frosty and crank up the tunes. Til next time, keep it between the navigational beacons!

About the writer: Cindy Bates, Parrothead Extraordinaire – The coconut bra and hula skirt wearers have spoken, and we’ve listened! Those avid supporters of Jimmy Buffett, known as Parrotheads, asked for a regular columnist to keep them up to date on Parrothead happenings. And we’ve found the perfect writer, Cindy Bates, whose Port Aransas home is a living memorial to all things Buffett, which is unquestionable proof of her Parrothead credentials. Cindy will explore the native habitat of the head Parrot, Mr. Buffett, who hails from Mobile, AL and proudly sports his Gulf Coast heritage. If it’s Parrothead related, Cindy will cover it. Look for her regular column in our next issue and get ready for some phlockling phun.

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